Colorado state Sen. Angela Giron becomes 2nd lawmaker to lose recall over gun laws support

[The Straight Story]

DENVER (AP) — Voters ousted two Colorado Democratic lawmakers Tuesday in the state's first ever legislative recall launched over their support for stricter gun laws after last year's mass shootings.

Senate President John Morse and Sen. Angela Giron both lost their jobs in an election seen as a national measure of popular support for gun legislation.

Morse faced a tough election in the Republican stronghold of Colorado Springs, where he won re-election by just a few hundred votes in 2010. He lost by 343 votes, with 51 percent of voters backing the recall.

"We as the Democratic party will continue to fight," Morse told supporters in Colorado Springs as he conceded the race.

Republican Bernie Herpin, a former Colorado Springs city councilman, will replace him.

Giron lost by a bigger margin in a largely blue-collar district that favors Democrats, with 56 percent of voters voting to recall her. She tried to encourage her supporters, telling them the defeat will ultimately make them stronger.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/2-colo-lawmakers-face-recall-over-gun-votes

[TheMastersNemesis]

1. Too Many Blue Collar Workers Are Racists And Bigots. They Vote GOP And Their Bible And Their Gun

I don't care if they lose their jobs and work for crap wages and their children go hungry. They damn well deserve it and I certainly would never lift a finger to help them in a time of crisis. Why. Because they would never help me.

We are truly a sick and screwed up nation. I wish I could take my two years of my life back from being in service. We deserve all the evil we get.

[davepc]

2. Both districts voted for President Obama by 20 point margins.

[wild bird]

5. I don't like guns, saw what they could do in Vietnam

I don't like the way the recall turned out, but it was a fair process and you can be damn well sure that if it had failed, those that are decrying the results with insults and bigotry would be gloating to the gun rights people on this board right now.

[Robb]

6. Fair process?

Only if you weren't paying attention.

• Democrats Allege Forgery In Senator's Recall Effort

• Paid signature gatherers caught lying to voters (CO Dem Senate recall)

• Shady 501(c)4 spends big bucks to recall Democratic senator, won't disclose donors

• NRA money behind lawsuit challenging new Colo. gun control laws

...Then you've got the Koch brothers dumping untold sums into both districts, attacking both Democrats for everything but gun control -- immigration, marriage equality, marijuana and abortion.

This is a referendum on nothing. At the end of the day all it's done is reduce the Democratic majority in the state House to 18-17, and hopefully light a fire under a few Democrats for 2014.

[wild bird]

8. Was anyone arrested an prosecuted?

Or are these unfounded allegations?

I don't like guns, don't like the results of the recall, but you and others here sound like sour grapes.
You and I both know that if the results had gone our way, we would be gloating about it.

BTW.

Colorado's first-ever recall elections of state lawmakers have amassed about $3.5 million from donors both near and far, with those vying to defend the incumbents up for election Tuesday significantly outraising the opposition.

A Denver Post review of finance reports from the 10 active issue committees involved in the recalls of Senate President John Morse of Colorado Springs and Sen. Angela Giron of Pueblo found some donors contributing as little as $1 to as much as six figures.

The committees accepted unrestricted amounts of cash from thousands of individuals and dozens of nonprofit 501(c)(4)s, which do not have to disclose donors, according to the Colorado secretary of state.

Proponents of the recall have raised about $540,000, while opponents have collected nearly $3 million. Much of the cash has come from out of state — a sign of the national significance these recalls have.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_24046748/outside-money-shows-national-interest-colorado-recall-elections

A little fact you left out there Robb.

[Robb]

9. Sour grapes?

Did you happen to read any of those stories? I've been on about this from day one.

And hell yes, if two Democrats had retained their seats I'd be gloating about it. What planet do you live on?

[wild bird]

12. I live on the planet of reality.

We lost, let's deal with it, don't sound like sore losers and move on to elect pro gun control candidates where possible.

[Robb]

13. Uh huh.

[wild bird]

18. Like I said down thread,

when you want to have a serious discussion without the ridiculous and slanderous allegations, get back to me.

[Robb]

20. Slanderous? It's in writing. Technically it's libel.

And I'm sticking with truth as an affirmative defense.

[wild bird]

22. Ok, libel.

What truth would that be? Your truth?

You insinuate that I'm happy that 2 dems lost to repubs without any evidence of it at all. Is that your truth?

From the group where you're a host.

Statistics and Information
Account status: Active
Member since: Wed Aug 21, 2013, 09:05 AM
Number of posts, all time: 258
Number of posts, last 90 days: 258
Favorite forum: General Discussion, 155 posts in the last 90 days (60% of total posts)
Favorite group: Gun Control Reform Activism, 36 posts in the last 90 days (14% of total posts)
Last post: Tue Sep 10, 2013, 10:29 PM

Is this your idea of my support of pro gun repubs?

[GreenStormCloud]

43. The vast majority of the out-of-state money went to support gun control.

The recall battle drew more than $3.5 million in campaign contributions. But the vast majority of the funds - nearly $3 million - came from opponents of the recall drive who support stricter gun control, figures from the secretary of state's office showed.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who founded Mayors Against Illegal Guns, wrote a $350,000 personal check to the anti-recall campaigns. Los Angeles billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad kicked in another $250,000 to stave off the recalls.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/11/us-usa-colorado-election-idUSBRE98A06I20130911

So the NRA & Koch were outspent by 6 to 1 by pro-controllers, yet you blame their money for the way the election went.

[badtoworse]

46. "...you blame their (NRA & Koch) money for the way the election went."

It's easier than facing the truth: Gun control is a losing issue.

[oldhippie]

49. Well, gee, ...

I don't care if they lose their jobs and work for crap wages and their children go hungry. They damn well deserve it and I certainly would never lift a finger to help them in a time of crisis.

Nice progressive thoughts there.

We are truly a sick and screwed up nation.

I wonder why?

[msongs]

3. natioinal support? more like hard core gun nuts in a low turnout election nt

[Beaverhausen]

4. What?

"in an election seen as a national measure of popular support for gun legislation. "

Dream on.

[LittleBlue]

7. At some point, we must stop wasting political capital on gun control

If Americans could be convinced on this, Aurora and Sandy Hook would have done it.

[wild bird]

10. I'll always lobby for sensible gun control laws in this country,

but in this case, maybe these 2 should have listened to their constituents instead of the lobbyists.

[Robb]

11. You're just a little too happy about Democrats losing to Republicans there, pal.

[The Straight Story]

14. Nothing compared to how democrats are talking about Obama on this board of late

And people can be happy about someone losing who wants to remove what they see are rights no matter what party they are in - from medical pot to abortion to guns, etc.

It does not take a rocket scientist to see that some issues won't really solve problems but will lose dems elections.

[Llewlladdwr]

15. Perhaps Democrats should stop being stupid?

Gun control is a losing issue.

[otohara]

19. Not Everywhere It Isn't

Denver would not recall our Dems over the weak laws that were passed.

Hysteria took over in CS and Pueblo.

[wild bird]

16. You're too funny.

HaHaHaHa.
If you want to throw around false allegations then we're done here, when you want to have a serious discussion, then I'm all ears.
Until then, toodle loo.

[otohara]

17. How On Earth Did They Even Get Constiuants ?

if they weren't elected in the first place?

Seriously go to the forum where guns are more popular than dead children.

[wild bird]

21. You're too funny also.

Seriously, if you had taken the time to look at my profile, you would have known that my favorite group is Gun Control Reform Activism.

Statistics and Information
Account status: Active
Member since: Wed Aug 21, 2013, 09:05 AM
Number of posts, all time: 258
Number of posts, last 90 days: 258
Favorite forum: General Discussion, 155 posts in the last 90 days (60% of total posts)
Favorite group: Gun Control Reform Activism, 36 posts in the last 90 days (14% of total posts)
Last post: Tue Sep 10, 2013, 10:29 PM

[otohara]

24. Then What Did You Mean By

they should have listened to their constituents ... if they were voted in by Democrats in the first place?

You're not funny or serious with comments like that.

[wild bird]

25. I meant that they should have listened to their constituents on these new gun control laws.

Judging by the 12 point loss by Ms. Giron, it would seem that her constituents weren't too happy with her vote, Morse, on the other hand, loss by a much smaller %, but lose he did.
Now the Colorado Senate is down by 2 capable Dems and 2 Repubs have taken their place.

We lost today, but we sure as hell shouldn't be acting as sore losers, we should realize that we have work to do, so let's roll up our sleeves and get to work electing pro gun control Dems on the state and national level.

[Politicalboi]

35. You're a Repukes wet dream

I suppose we had sour grapes over Bush stealing 2 elections too. These 2 were pro gun control Dems. Sore losers indeed. You can't trust the GOP when it comes to elections and voter fraud. But you keep calling us sore losers. When the Dems lose union support because there are no more unions I guess you would call us sore losers again. Just roll up your sleeves against their piles of money. Sore loser.

[wild bird]

37. Blah Blah Blah.

Whatever dude. You just keep on doing what you do and I'll keep on trying to get pro gun control candidates elected.

A Repukes wet dream? Too fucking funny.

[The Straight Story]

26. Um, because not everyone who votes for dems wants them to pass certain gun laws

I vote dem and am pro-choice on the ownership of guns.

[otohara]

31. They Want No Gun Laws

what was passed here was minor -

It's time for Dems to sweep gun reform under the rug again like they did for years - otherwise, this is the result.

I hate this country

[Nuclear Unicorn]

39. There already were gun laws. The recall happened in response to a law that

went beyond the laws the voters were willing to tolerate.

And what's so hard about accepting the results of the democratic process. Regardless of the underlying issue these politicians need to learn to start respecting the demands of the voters. I hope these results start putting the fear of voters back into what is an obviously out-of-control government.

We told them no bailouts -- they ignored us. We told them no mandating corporate profiteering -- they ignored us. They're ignoring us on the CPI, the TPP and a host of other issues. They need to be reminded of their place.

[wild bird]

27. BTW,

yes, she was voted in by Democrats, and she was voted out by Democrats.

[wild bird]

30. As opposed to yours?

Seriously go to the forum where guns are more popular than dead children.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023643432#post24

[mwrguy]

32. What else should we throw out? Freedom of choice? Gay rights? Racial equality?

Gun control is not a waste of political capital

It is a vital issue central to a liberal society.

[LittleBlue]

33. I think we have a chance on those issues

On guns, we should wait for the day when it's feasible. It just isn't right now. Another DUer pointed out that one of these districts was won by Obama by 20 points.

This is just a pointless sacrifice on an issue we have lost. Gun control will not come this generation whether we fight it or not.

[The Straight Story]

36. You are on to something there - freedom and rights

We have many gun control laws already. Laws against robbery, rape, murder, stealing, etc.

Adding new laws won't solve a problem that isn't being caused by a piece of metal but by people.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

40. If some faction wanted to codify violent misogyny, homophobia and racism

It'd be a good idea to be armed.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

47. I'm glad you weren't MLK's right hand advisor during the 1950s-60s.

Otherwise, we'd still might have separate water fountains.

"Firehoses? Fuck that shit."

[Tuesday Afternoon]

23. bkmrking for reference later. thanks for posting.

[Recursion]

28. But posters on liberal websites assured me that gun control is now popular

Sigh

[Pretzel_Warrior]

29. wow. that is garbage. strip public unions of bargaining rights? no problem.

try to have some reasonable limits on guns? you're OUTTA THERE!

fucked up world, man.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

41. Did you hear? The President's been back-dooring the 2nd Aendment to the Syrian rebels.

[rawtribe]

34. A small victory.

for the gun-nutters who paid attention the this? In the next (real) election cycle Colorado will continue to trend blue.

[cali]

42. It was a substantial victory for the gun nutters

It got coast to coast attention and was widely talked and written about in the months leading up to the vote.

[rawtribe]

50. And what gun control laws were overturned

NONE..... and that won't change with this or future election.

[MFM008]

38. i still dont think something like this

will not fly nationally. They targeted them carefully. Were a blue state and half the state is reddish on the northern part of WA. This would fall flat in most of west WA.


MISS YOU DAD
December 1 1930- September 11 2000.

[former9thward]

52. Targeted them carefully?

Obama won both districts by 20 points.

[Freddie Stubbs]

44. This is a teachable moment

It seems that some forgot the lesson learned in 1994.

[badtoworse]

45. Hopefully, a lesson was learned here: Ignore your constituents' views at your own peril.

Morse and Giron had to know that the voters in their districts would be highly pissed off by yet more gun control, but they implemented it anyway. They were supposed to represent them, not Michael Bloomberg and the voters reminded them of that.

If the Democratic Party has any smarts, it will give up more gun control as a political goal. If not, expect more of this, at least in large parts of the country.

[rrneck]

48. Meanwhile, in other news...

California lawmakers pass expanded semi-automatic weapons ban

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/10/20427289-california-lawmakers-pass-expanded-semi-automatic-weapons-ban?lite

By Sharon Bernstein, Reuters

SACRAMENTO — New sales of semi-automatic rifles with removable magazines would be banned in California under a bill passed by the Democratic-led state legislature on Tuesday, and those who already own such weapons would have to register them.

Missouri: Pro-Gun Laws Took Effect This Week
http://www.nraila.org/legislation/state-legislation/2013/8/missouri-pro-gun-laws-took-effect-this-week.aspx

On August 28, House Bill 533, sponsored by state Representative Jeanie Riddle (R-49) and state Senator Brian Munzlinger (R-18), took effect. This new self-defense law protects the right of a state employee to store a firearm in his or her private vehicle on state property as long as that vehicle is locked and the firearm is not visible. Additionally, it prohibits any government entity from using tax dollars to participate in a gun “buyback” program unless the firearms are resold or transferred to a federally licensed firearms dealer.

Finally, a provision in Senate Bill 75, sponsored by state Senator Dan Brown (R-16) and state Representative Eric Burlison (R-133), also took effect on August 28. This provision allows schools to annually teach the NRA Eddie Eagle Gunsafe® Program to help keep children safe by preventing gun-related accidents. However, the portion of this bill that makes sheriffs the issuing authority for all concealed carry permits in Missouri will not take effect until January 1, 2014.

Blue states go one way in the culture wars, red states go the other, swing states get divided. The split grows wider with every bill passed. And we sit around scratching our heads wondering why congress can't seem to get anything done. "What's the matter with Kansas?", we ask. How did one percent of the population wind up owning most of the country? This is how. We burn off metric tons of political capital on both sides of the aisle fighting culture wars while they run off with the store. Well, at least the money in the store. They leave the ideological kitsch for us to fight over.

[dionysus]

51. unfortunately, the opposition to any law even remotely controlling pew pew pew machines crosses

party lines...